Container With Removable Base

ABSTRACT

A container ( 10 ) for holding at least one article ( 32, 132 ) includes a sleeve ( 12, 112 ), a top ( 16, 116 ) located at one end of the sleeve ( 12, 112 ), and a base ( 14, 114, 214 ) located at an opposite end of the sleeve ( 12, 112 ). The container ( 10 ) includes a locking mechanism ( 54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258 ) that provides means for releasably securing the sleeve ( 12, 112 ) to the base ( 14, 114, 214 ). A support structure ( 28, 128, 228 ) is positioned on the base ( 14, 114, 214 ) and includes a recess ( 44, 144, 244 ) for receiving an article ( 32, 132 ) and an arm ( 46, 246 ) that is proximate to the recess ( 44, 144, 244 ) and configured to contact the article ( 32, 132 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/742,773, filed Dec. 6, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to containers and, more specifically,to containers with removable bases.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A container that includes a lock and release mechanism is desirable inmany applications. The lock and release mechanism keeps the containerlocked in a closed condition unless a release mechanism is triggered toopen the container. Thus, the container provides child resistance or isotherwise not inadvertently opened to allow access to the productscontained therein.

Many of the known lock and release mechanisms are overly complex so asto require multiple parts and/or difficult manufacturing processes. Theadditional costs associated with such a lock and release mechanism canbe substantial with respect to high volume productions. In addition,certain of the previous lock and release mechanisms can be manipulatedto open the container without properly triggering the release mechanism.

In addition, the ability of a package to stand upright is a feature thatis useful in stocking and displaying items in a store or warehouse. Onetype of package that is in common use today is the clamshell package.Clamshell packages are desirable because, amongst other reasons, theyare formed in a single piece of a clear material that makes theircontents easy to view, and they are made of tough plastic material thatprovides a high degree of security. However, they are typically sealedaround all the edges in such a manner as to form a frame, whichprohibits the ability of the package to stand upright.

Further, many packages must be destroyed in order to access thecontents, as is typically necessary with claim shell packages. Suchdestruction of the original package is irrational and wasteful when itis often a benefit for the end user to continue to store and protect thearticle in the original container.

Therefore, an unaddressed need exists in the industry to address theaforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. What is needed is areusable container that includes an effective lock and releasemechanism, which is also simple to use and easy to manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present invention overcome theshortcomings of the prior art by providing a device for holding an item,which includes a sleeve, a base cap with means for supporting the item,and a locking mechanism for releaseably attaching the base cap to thesleeve. In certain embodiments a package is provided, which includes anitem, a sleeve, a base cap with means for supporting the item, and alocking mechanism for releaseably attaching the base cap to the sleeve.More specific embodiments are taught and suggested herein.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a container orapparatus for holding at least one article is provided. The apparatuscomprises: a sleeve; a top cap located at one end of the sleeve; a basecap located at an opposite end of the sleeve; a locking mechanism thatreleaseably engages the sleeve to the base; and, a first supportstructure positioned on the base that comprises at least one articlereceiving recess. In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includesan arm proximate to the recess which is configured to contact an articleat a first location. Another embodiment further comprises a secondsupport structure extending from either the top cap or sleeve, which isconfigured to contact the article at a second location. In anotherembodiment the top cap is releaseably attached to the sleeve, while inanother embodiment the sleeve further comprises an aperture that engagesthe locking mechanism.

Other embodiments of the present invention include a package for holdingat least one article. In one embodiment the package comprises: a sleevehaving a first side, a second side, a closed end formed by the joiningof the sleeve ends at that end, an open end opposite the closed end; abase that is located at the open end; a locking mechanism thatreleaseably engages the sleeve to the base; a first support structurepositioned on the base comprising at least one article receiving recess,and, an article at least partially positioned within the receivingrecess. An alternative embodiment includes an arm proximate to therecess which is configured to contact an article at a first location. Inan alternative embodiment, a second support structure extends from thesleeve and is configured to contact the article at a second location.Another embodiment provides for a top cap in lieu of the sealed closedend. Yet another embodiment includes a top cap that comprises a secondsupport structure. And, in still another embodiment the top cap isreleaseably attached to the sleeve.

Further embodiments of the present invention include a system forholding at least one article, comprising: a sleeve having a first endand a second end; means for supporting an article positioned at each ofsaid ends; means for releaseably securing a first end to the means forsupporting; and, means for retaining an article positioned on the meansfor supporting. In additional embodiments, the system comprises meansfor releaseably securing a second end to the means for supporting.

The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features ofthe present invention, which should be construed to merely illustrativeof various potential applications of the present invention. Otherbeneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed informationin a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosedembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a containerwith a removable base, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the container of FIG. 1, the basebeing removed from the container.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a containerwith a removable base, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aremovable base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merelyexemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various andalternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word“exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve asillustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are notnecessarily, to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimizedto show details of particular components. In other instances, well-knowncomponents, systems, materials, or methods have not been described indetail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate likeelements throughout the several views, the drawings illustrate certainof the various aspects of exemplary embodiments of a container, case, orpackage with a removable base or base end cap. Generally described, theexemplary container includes a tubular sleeve with a top end cap and aremovable base end cap, wherein the removable base end cap can bereleasably secured to the tubular sleeve by means for releasablysecuring. For purposes of the present teaching, the terms “lower”,“upper”, “top”, “base”, and “bottom” are merely for the purpose oforientation and/or direction, and may thus be used interchangeably.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a container 10 includesa tubular sleeve 12, a base end cap 14, and a top end cap 16. Thedimensions and shape of the container, as well as the material used toform the container, are merely design decisions. The exemplary container10 is dimensioned, shaped, and arranged for packaging discs, such asdiscs for storing computer readable media and the like. However, itshould be understood that the container 10 can be scaled or altered topackage any article including healthcare and personal care products suchas medical devices and perfume bottles, portable articles such as toysand electronic devices, etc.

The material for forming the container can be selected for aestheticpurposes. For example, the tubular sleeve of the container can be formedfrom a plastic that is transparent such that articles packaged in thecontainer are viewable. Alternatively or additionally, the tubularsleeve can be formed from a material that is selected such that graphicscan be printed thereon. Further, the material can be selected accordingto manufacturing constraints. As described in further detail below, theend caps of the container include elements that may be integral to,machined in, or attached to the end caps. Accordingly, the material forforming the end caps is merely a design decision.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular sleeve 12 is defined by fourwalls and has a somewhat oval shaped, partially squared cross-section.The cross-sectional shape of the container can be determined accordingto the dimensions of the article or articles packaged therein oraccording to ergonomics, for example, to provide a container that iseasily gripped.

The tubular sleeve 12 includes a front wall 18, a back wall 20, a firstside wall 22, and a second side wall 24. The tubular sleeve 12 includesopen ends O1, O2 that are adjacent to lower and upper edges E1, E2 ofthe tubular sleeve 12. As described in further detail below, the openends O1, O2 of the tubular sleeve 12 receive the base end cap 14 and thetop end cap 16, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tubular sleeve 12 further includes an aperture25 that is disposed in the front wall 18 and a notch N1 that is disposedin the back wall 20. The aperture 25 is dimensioned and positioned tofunctionally align with elements of the base end cap 14 to releasablysecure the base end cap 14 to the tubular sleeve 12 as the container 10is assembled, as described in further detail below. The notch N1facilitates removal of the base end cap 14 from the tubular sleeve 12,as described in further detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the base end cap 14 is dimensioned and shaped tobe received in the open end O1 of the tubular sleeve 12 and to at leastpartially support articles that are packaged in the container 10. Thebase end cap 14 includes a bottom wall 26 and a lower support structure28 that extends upwardly from the bottom wall 26. The cross sectionalarea of the bottom wall 26 extends outside that of the lower supportstructure 28 such that the base end cap 14 includes a rim 30 thatcorresponds to the edge E1, as described in further detail below.

The lower support structure 28 is dimensioned and shaped to fit withinor otherwise engage with the walls of the tubular sleeve 12. The lowersupport structure 28 includes a front wall 34, a back wall 36, a firstside wall 38, a second side wall 40, and a top wall 42. The exemplarytop wall 42 is shaped according to the curvature of a disc 32.Specifically, the contour of the top wall 42 can be at least partiallydefined by the curvature of the edge of the disc 32 such that the discs32 can easily be viewed and accessed when received and supported by thelower support structure 28. Further, the top wall 42 slants upwardlyfrom the front wall 34 toward the back wall 36. In alternativeembodiments, the top wall 42 is level so as to be substantially parallelwith the bottom wall 26, or slopes or curves in various directions andangles. Thus, it should be understood that the slant, slope, angle, orcontour of the top wall 42 is merely a design decision.

The lower support structure 28 is dimensioned and shaped and/or includeselements that are dimensioned and positioned to provide means forsupporting one or more articles. In the exemplary embodiment, the firstsupport structure 28 includes recesses or grooves 44 to receive,support, and display a plurality of discs 32. The grooves 44 are definedin the top wall 42 so as to extend between the first side wall 38 andthe second side wall 40 and are evenly spaced along the sloped top wall42, between the front wall 34 and the back wall 36, such that discs 32that are received in the grooves 44 are displayed in a stepped fashion.

In the exemplary embodiment, means for retaining the discs 32 in thegrooves 44 includes a flexing arm 46 that is disposed in each groove 44.Each flexing arm 46 includes a cantilever 48 and a detent 50 disposed atthe free end of the cantilever 48. Each cantilever 48 can be formed by asubstantially U-shaped channel or cut, that extends through a side wallof a respective groove 44. Each flexing arm 46 is oriented such that thedetent 50 is positioned to engage a non-optical portion of a disc 32that is received in the groove 44 so as to not damage the digitalcontents of the disc 32.

In the exemplary embodiment, means for releasably securing the base endcap 14 to the tubular sleeve 12 includes elements of the base end cap14, and specifically of the lower support structure 28, that at leastpartially provide a lock and release mechanism. The lower supportstructure 28 includes a push button 54 that protrudes from the frontwall 34. The push button 54 is integral to and protrudes from the freeend of a cantilever 56. A cut line defines the cantilever 56 and thepush button 54 from the top wall 42 and the front wall 34 such that thepush button 54 can be displaced inwardly, as described in further detailbelow.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top end cap 16 is dimensioned and shapedto be received in the open end O2 of the tubular sleeve 12 and to atleast partially support articles that are packaged in the container 10.The base end cap 14 includes a top wall 60 and an upper supportstructure 62 that extends downwardly from the top wall 60. The crosssectional area of the top wall 60 extends outside that of the uppersupport structure 62 such that the base end cap 16 includes a rim 64that corresponds to the edge E2, as described in further detail below.

The upper support structure 62 is dimensioned and shaped to fit withinor otherwise engage the walls of the tubular sleeve 12. The uppersupport structure 62 includes a front wall 66, a back wall 68, a firstside wall 70, a second side wall 72, and a bottom wall 74. The uppersupport structure 62 includes a fin 76 that provides means forsupporting the upper edges of the discs 32. The fin 76 extendsdownwardly from the bottom wall 74 and a lower edge of the fin 76includes peaks and valleys 78 that are stepped so as to correspond tothe grooves 44.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 10 can be assembled using thefollowing non-limiting method that is presented for purposes ofteaching. The top end cap 16 is received in the open end O2 of thetubular sleeve 12 and attached thereto. Specifically, the top end cap 16is inserted into the open end O2 of the tubular sleeve 12 until the rim64 contacts the top edge E2 of the tubular sleeve 12. Thereby, theelements of the top end cap 16 are properly positioned in the tubularsleeve 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the top end cap 16 is attached to thetubular sleeve 12 by tabs 80 that are disposed on the inside of thetubular sleeve 12 and recesses 82 disposed in the top end cap 16. Eachtab 80 is received in a respective recess 82 to attach the top end cap16 to the tubular sleeve 12. In alternative embodiments, the top end cap16 is press fit into the open end O2 of the tubular sleeve 12 and/or thetop end cap 16 is attached to the tubular sleeve 12 with adhesive,mechanical fasteners, a lid type arrangement, combinations thereof, andthe like. In other alternative embodiments, the top end cap 16 may beintegral to the tubular sleeve 12. In still other alternativeembodiments, the sleeve 12 is roughly trapezoidal in shape, having anopen base end and a closed upper end such that there is no need for atop end cap.

The base end cap 14 is loaded with discs 32, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,such that each disc 32 is received and supported in a groove 44 and suchthat each disc 32 is retained in the groove 44 by means for retaining.Specifically, the edge of the disc 32 is engaged by a flexing arm 46. Aseach disc 32 enters a groove 44, the disc 32 contacts the detent 50 ofthe flexing arm 46 to deflect the cantilever 48 and displace the detent50. The deflected cantilever 48 thereafter holds the detent 50 againstdisc 32 such that the disc 32 is pressed between the detent 50 and awall of the groove 44.

The loaded base end cap 14 is received in the open end O1 of the tubularsleeve 12, and is releasably secured thereto by means for releasablysecuring. In the exemplary embodiment, means for releasably securingincludes the aperture 25 and the push button 54 that provide a lock andrelease mechanism.

The tubular sleeve 12 slides over the base end cap 14 until the edge E1of the tubular sleeve 12 contacts the rim 30 of the base end cap 14. Thepush button 54 deflects inwardly to allow the tubular sleeve 12 to slideover the base end cap 14 and, as the edge E1 and the rim 30 come intocontact, the push button 54 functionally aligns with the aperture 25 andreturns to an undeflected position. The push button 54 is therebyreceived in the aperture 25 such that the tubular sleeve 12 isreleasably secured to the base end cap 14. To release the tubular sleeve12 from the base end cap 14, the push button 54 can be depressed toinwardly deflect the cantilever 56 such that the tubular sleeve 12 canslide unobstructed over the base end cap 14 as the tubular sleeve 12 andthe base end cap 14 are pulled from one another. The notch N1 isprovided to facilitate gripping the base end cap 14 to pull the base endcap 14 from the tubular sleeve 12.

The container 10 is thereby fully assembled as shown in FIG. 1. Itshould be noted that, as the end caps 14, 16 are received in the openends O1, O2 of the tubular sleeve 12, the bottom wall 26 of the base endcap 14 defines the bottom wall of the container 10 and the top wall andthe top wall 60 of the top end cap 16 defines the top wall of thecontainer 10. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the outer surfacesof portions of the walls of the lower and upper support structures 28,62 are in flat face contact with the inside surfaces of portions of thewalls of the tubular sleeve 12 for structural purposes.

Referring to FIG. 1, as the container 10 is fully assembled, the uppersupport structure 62 supports a top edge of each disc 32 and the lowersupport structure 28 supports a bottom edge of each disc 32 to supportand position each disc 32. Specifically, a top edge of each disc 32 issupported between two peaks 78 of the fin 76, and a bottom edge of eachdisc 32 is supported by a groove 44. Thereby, the upper and lowersupport structures 28, 62 provide means for supporting the discs 32.

Regarding the numeric designation of elements in FIGS. 4 and 5, theelements in FIGS. 4 and 5 are designated with element numbers that aresimilar to those used in FIGS. 1-3 for similar elements, except that thenumeric prefix of “1” or “2” has been added.

It should be noted that means for supporting is not limited to theillustrated lower and upper support structures. In an alternativeembodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, means for supporting is the lowersupport structure 114 without an upper support structure. In otheralternative embodiments, the lower support structure 128 can include oneor more fins in addition to, or in place of, the grooves. Further, meansfor supporting is not limited to the top and base end caps. In certainembodiments, the tubular sleeve includes support structures that extendinwardly from the walls of the tubular sleeve.

It should be understood that means for releasably locking is not limitedto the elements, the position of the elements, the number of elements,or the arrangement of elements that are illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, acontainer 110 includes a tubular sleeve 112, a base end cap 114, andmeans for releasably securing the base end cap 114 to the tubular sleeve112. In this embodiment, means for releasably securing includes a notchN2 and a slot or aperture 125 that are disposed in the tubular sleeve112, and a cantilever 156 that includes a push button 154 and a detent158 that is disposed in a wall of the base end cap 114.

The notch N2 is disposed along the lower edge E1 of the tubular sleeve112 and the aperture 125 is disposed adjacent to and aligned with thenotch N2. The notch N2 and the aperture 125 are positioned in the frontwall 118 of the tubular sleeve 112.

The cantilever 156 is defined in the front wall 134 of the base end cap114 by a cut line. The push button 154 is disposed at the proximal orsupported end of the cantilever 156 and the detent 158 is disposed andthe distal or free end of the cantilever 156.

The base end cap 114 can be received at or in an open end O1 of thetubular sleeve 112 according to a method similar to that described aboveto assemble the container 10. As the tubular sleeve 112 slides over thebase end cap 114, the portion of the tubular sleeve 112 that is betweenthe notch N2 and the aperture 125 contacts the detent 158 to deflect thecantilever 156 such that the detent does not obstruct the tubular sleeve112. Alternatively, the push button 154 can be pressed to deflect thecantilever 156. Thereafter, the detent 158 aligns with and is receivedin the aperture 125 and the push button 154 aligns with the notch N2.Specifically, as the base end cap 114 is substantially fully received bythe tubular sleeve 112, the deflected cantilever 156 returns to itssubstantially undeflected position, to force the detent 158 into theaperture 125. The notch N2 is designed to receive the push button 154 asthe tubular sleeve 112 slides over the base end cap 114, such that thepush button 154 can protrude from the base end cap 114 withoutobstructing the tubular sleeve 112. The tubular sleeve 112 can bereleased and separated from the base end cap 114 by simultaneouslydepressing the push button 154 to deflect the cantilever 156, therebyreleasing the detent 158 from the aperture 125, and sliding the tubularsleeve 112 from the base end cap 114.

Means for releasably locking the tubular sleeve 112 to the base end cap114 is not limited to the positions described above. For example,referring to the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, elementsof the lock and release mechanism are disposed in each of the front andback wall a base end cap 214 and in respective front and back walls of atubular sleeve (not shown). In additional alternative embodiments,elements of a lock and release mechanism are disposed in one or each ofthe side walls of a base end cap and of a tubular sleeve. Still otherpositions may be preferable depending on other aspects of thecontainers, such as graphics printed on the tubular sleeve that may ormay not be designed to interact with the lock and release mechanism.

The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive toillustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present claims.Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplaryillustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding ofthe principles of the invention. Variations, modifications, andcombinations may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims. All such variations,modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of thisdisclosure and the following claims.

1. An apparatus (10) for holding at least one article, comprising: asleeve (12, 112); a top (16, 116) located at one end of said sleeve (12,112); a base (14, 114, 214) located at an opposite end of said sleeve(12, 112); a locking mechanism (54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258)that releaseably engages said sleeve (12, 112) to said base (14, 114,214); and, a first support structure (28, 128, 228) positioned on saidbase (14, 114, 214) comprising at least one article receiving recess(44, 144, 244).
 2. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, said first supportstructure (28, 128, 228) further comprising an arm (46, 246) proximateto said at least one recess (44, 144, 244) and configured to contact anarticle at a first location.
 3. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, furthercomprising a second support structure (62) extending from at least oneof said top (16, 116) and said sleeve (12, 112), configured to contactan article at a second location.
 4. The apparatus (10) of claim 1,wherein said top (16, 116) is releaseably attached to said sleeve (12,112).
 5. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein said sleeve (12, 112)further comprises an aperture (25, 125) that engages said lockingmechanism (54, 56, 145, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258).
 6. A package (10),comprising: a sleeve (12, 112) having a closed end (16, 116) and an openend (O1); a base (14, 114, 214) located at said open end (O1); a lockingmechanism (54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258) that releaseablyengages said sleeve (12, 112) to said base (14, 114, 214); a firstsupport structure (28, 128, 228) positioned on said base (14, 114, 214),comprising at least one article receiving recess (44, 144, 244); and, anarticle (32, 132) at least partially positioned within said receivingrecess (44, 144, 244).
 7. The package (10) of claim 6, said firstsupport structure (28, 128, 228) further comprising an arm (46, 146,246) proximate to said at least one recess (44, 144, 244) configured tocontact said article (32, 132) at a first location.
 8. The package (10)of claim 6, further comprising a second support structure (62) extendingfrom said sleeve (12, 112) and configured to contact said article (32,132) at a second location.
 9. The package (10) of claim 6, wherein saidclosed end comprises a top (16, 116).
 10. The package (10) of claim 9,wherein said top (16, 116) further comprises a second support structure(62).
 11. The package (10) of claim 6, wherein said top (16, 116) isreleaseably attached to said sleeve (12, 112).
 12. A system (10) forholding at least one article, comprising: a sleeve (12, 112) having afirst end and a second end; means for supporting an article (14, 114,214, 16, 116) positioned at each of said ends; means for releaseablysecuring (54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258) a first end to saidmeans for supporting (14, 114, 214, 16, 116); and, means for retaining(46, 146, 246) an article positioned on said means for supporting (14,114, 214, 16, 116).
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising meansfor releaseably securing (54, 56, 154, 156, 158, 254, 256, 258) a secondend to said means for supporting (14, 114, 214, 16, 116).